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New Tecumseth Public Library hosts on-line programs over the winter

January 20, 2022   ·   0 Comments

With so many clubs and activities currently restricted or cancelled, the New Tecumseth Library is still a place you can go to read, learn, use the computer, and take part in many of the events and clubs the Library hosts.

While the current restrictions have placed limits on what the Library’s clubs can do in person, they have adapted many of their events so people can meet and discuss in a virtual environment.

The Library’s three branches – Alliston, Beeton, and Tottenham – are open to the public.

“We get calls every week asking if we are open,” explained Kimberly Burgess, Adult Services Program Coordinator at the New Tecumseth Public Library. “As of now, our doors are still open and people are welcome to come in and browse or use the computers. We are allowed to have 50 per cent capacity.”

Visitors are not required to show provincial verification of COVID vaccinations to visit the Library.

The Library also acts as a warming centre for anyone who needs to get inside and out of the cold for any reason.

In the building, you can browse and borrow books, use the computer, access printing, photocopying, and scanning, take advantage of the WiFi, and get assistance with printing proof of vaccinations and QR codes.

There are also children’s book bundles and “take and make” craft kits.

“For adult programming, everything that was person was easily translatable to virtual as long as people have Zoom,” Ms. Burgess said. “If they have difficulty with Zoom we are more than happy to help them. All of our regular monthly clubs are virtual – book clubs, cooking clubs, film clubs, poetry, word smith, genealogy, the money management program, all of those are being offered. You can register right on-line. Everything is on our website You can still come into the branch and ask “what are they doing in January?” Everything can be registered right online. We have a lot of monthly programs that happen every month. We also have a lot of special programs that are one-offs.”

Here’s a list of some of the Library’s upcoming virtual events.

Wordsmiths: Tuesdays, February 1 and 15. 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Zoom.

This is a writers’ group that meet to explore ideas and genres.

Finding your Path to Publication: Wednesday, February 9. 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Zoom.

This group helps writers explore the varied paths to publishing their work. 

NTPL’s Kanopy Club: Children of the Light: The Story of Desmond Tutu.

Thursday, February 10. 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Zoom.

This club explores the life of Nobel Prize winner Desmond Tutu during the crucial years of anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa.

Beeton Cookbook Club: Pasta

Wednesday, February 16. 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Zoom.

Join the Beeton Cookbook Club to test, taste, and review pasta recipes.

NTPL Poetry Circle: Thursday, February 17. 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Zoom. 

This program shares and discusses traditional written or spoken word poetry.

Virtual Escape Room: Walden’s Wizarding Shop.

Friday, February 18. 8:00 p.m.

Join to solve an escape room from the comfort of your own home.

NTPL’s Money Management: Ending the Financial Feud – Love & Money

Presented by the Credit Counselling Society. 

Wednesday, February 23. 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. RingCentral Webinars.

Participants will learn about each other’s money values, triggers and goals, and work together to create a manageable and tension-less plan.

Open Book Club: The Fire Next Time – James Baldwin.

A study of James Baldwin’s 1963 bestselling, impassioned plea to ‘end the racial nightmare.’

Visit the library’s website at www.ntpl.ca to learn more about upcoming programs.

By Brian Lockhart
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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